Warner Music Executive Kevin Liles Departs From Company Goes Independent

Warner Music Group (NYSE: WMG) announced today that Executive Vice President Kevin Liles has decided to leave his day-to-day role at the company to pursue his own entrepreneurial opportunities. He will maintain a consulting relationship with the company.

In making the announcement, WMG Chairman and CEO, Edgar Bronfman, Jr., said, "Kevin Liles is an exceptional executive and one of the most dynamically creative individuals in the industry. During his tenure at WMG, he helped to design and implement our industry-leading artist services strategy that in just a few years is already producing meaningful results. With WMG now positioned for future growth, Kevin is following his heart. His presence will be missed in 75 Rock."

Lyor Cohen, WMG's Vice Chairman and Chairman and CEO, Recorded Music - Americas and the UK, said, "Kevin and I have worked together since the day he joined Def Jam as an intern 18 years ago. He has become a trusted friend, a brilliant executive and an incredible business partner. Together, we have built companies, signed and developed fantastically talented artists, and brought some outstanding music to the world. Even though Kevin's chosen to pursue a new challenge, we'll continue to work together in many aspects of the entertainment industry. I'm so excited to see what's next for Kev, and he takes with him all my love and respect."

Liles said, "In the past couple weeks I've made one of the most important decisions of my life -- to depart the Warner Music Group in order to focus more on new entrepreneurial endeavors in talent management, entertainment, media and my personal philanthropic and political passions. I am thankful for the opportunities that Edgar and Lyor have given me, most recently in entrusting me with driving the company's global artist services strategy, which is redefining the way labels and artists work together. My work here is now complete and I'm excited about the next chapter of my life."